Photo-detecting apparatus

ABSTRACT

An electric signal current corresponding to the intensity of the incident light is output by a photodiode PD, electric charge is integrated in an integrating circuit  10  according to this electric signal current, and a signal voltage corresponding to this quantity of electric charge thus integrated is output. In a CDS circuit  20,  the signal voltage output by the integrating circuit  10  is input to the capacitor C 21 , and an electric charge corresponding to the amount of change in the input signal voltage is integrated in the capacitor C 22  or C 23  selected by switches SW 21 -SW 23.  In the differential calculating circuit  30,  the differential in the electric charges integrated respectively by the capacitors C 22  and C 23  or the CDS circuit  20  is determined, and a signal voltage corresponding to this differential is output.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser.No. PCT/JP00/02789 filed on Apr. 27, 2000, now pending.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a photo-detecting apparatus fordetecting only a signal light component by removing background lightcomponents from light input to a photodiode.

[0004] 2. Related Background Art

[0005] A photo-detecting apparatus comprises one or more photodiodes,the electric signal current from each photodiode being integrated by anintegrating circuit, and a signal voltage formed by the result of thisintegration being output. Furthermore, depending on the photo-detectingapparatus, the aforementioned signal voltage, which is an analoguesignal, may be converted to a digital signal A/D conversion), and thisdigital signal is then output. If the signal voltage exceeds aprescribed value in this A/D conversion process, then the digital signaloutput by A/D conversion on the basis of this signal voltage will becomesaturated at a value corresponding to this prescribed value, andconsequently, it will not be possible to perform accurate lightdetection. Therefore, in the prior art, saturation such as thatdescribed above has been prevented from occurring by setting theaforementioned prescribed value to the maximum predictable value of theaforementioned signal voltage, or a value thereabove. Furthermore, insome cases, the dynamic range is expanded by using a technique such aslogarithmic compression, or the like.

[0006] Photo-detecting apparatuses are for example used in a rangesensor incorporated into cameras. In a range sensor of this kind, thereflection of spot light beams projected onto an object by lightprojection means, such as a light-emitting diode, or the like, isdetected respectively by two photo detecting apparatuses, and thedistance is measured on the basis of the two detected signal outputs. Inthis case, since the intensity of the background light is alsosuperimposed and detected when detecting the intensity of the spot light(signal light), then the accuracy of distance measurement can beimproved by detecting only the intensity of the background light bymeans of the two respective photo-detecting apparatuses, whilst no spotlight is being projected, and then detecting only the intensity of thespot light by taking the differential readings in either detector

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] However, in an integrating circuit used in a conventionalphoto-detecting apparatus, since no measures are taken with respect tonoise components which have different values for each integratingoperation, such as thermal noise generated by amplifiers, or the like, anoise error may arise. Therefore, if the light intensity detected by thephotodiode, in other words, the value of the aforementioned signalvoltage, is smaller than the noise component which varies for eachintegrating operation, then the S/N ratio in the optical detection willbe low.

[0008] Furthermore, in A/D conversion in a conventional photo-detectingapparatus, the aforementioned prescribed value is set to a large valuein order to prevent the signal level from becoming saturated, but if thelight intensity detected by the photodiode, in other words, the value ofthe aforementioned signal voltage, is small, then the resolution of thedigital signal output will be decreased.

[0009] Moreover, problems of the following kind arise if the intensityof the spot light is selectively detected by subtracting the detectionresults for the intensity of the background light from the detectionresults for intensity of the spot light and intensity of the backgroundlight, as in the case of a photo-detecting apparatus used as a rangesensor.

[0010] Specifically, if the intensity of the background light is largecompared to the intensity of the spot light, then the aforementionedsignal voltage when the intensity of the spot light is detected with theintensity of the background light superimposed thereon will be verylarge, and hence, in order to prevent saturation of the signal occurringin this case, it is necessary to set the aforementioned prescribed valueto an ever greater value. This causes further degradation of theresolution of the digital signal output on the basis of the intensity ofthe spot light obtained by the subtraction operation.

[0011] As described above, in a conventional photo-detecting apparatus,the S/N ratio is poor and the resolution of the digital signal outputwhen A/D conversion is performed, is also poor. Therefore, the presentinvention was devised with the foregoing in view, an object thereofbeing to provide a photo-detecting apparatus having an excellent S/Nratio. Moreover, it is a further object of the invention to provide aphoto-detecting apparatus which has excellent resolution when performingA/D conversion, even if the light intensity is small, without the signalbecoming saturated when the light intensity is large.

[0012] The photo-detecting apparatus relating to the present inventioncomprises, (1) a photodiode for outputting an electric signal currentcorresponding to the intensity of the incident light; (2) an integratingcircuit for integrating electric charge according to the electric signalcurrent output by the photodiode and outputting a signal voltagecorresponding to the electric charge thus integrated; (3) a CDS(Correlated Double Sampling) circuit having: a first capacitor andamplifier provided in sequence between an input terminal inputting thesignal voltage output by the integrating circuit and an output terminal,a second capacitor and third capacitor having mutually equal capacitancevalues, provided in parallel between the input and output of theamplifier, and switching means for selecting either one of the second orthird capacitors so as to integrate electric charge corresponding to theamount of change in the signal voltage; and (4) a differentialcalculating circuit for determining the differential between theelectric charges integrated respectively in the second and the thirdcapacitors of the CDS circuit, and outputting a signal voltagecorresponding to this differential.

[0013] According to this photo-detecting apparatus, the electric signalcurrent corresponding to the intensity of the incident light is outputby the photodiode, and in the integrating circuit, electric charge isintegrated according to the electric signal current output by thephotodiode, and a signal voltage is output in accordance with the amountof electric charge thus integrated. In the CDS circuit, the electriccharge signal output by the integrating circuit is input to the firstcapacitor, and an electric charge corresponding to the change in thesignal voltage thus input is integrated in either the second or thirdcapacitor as selected by the switches. Thereupon, in the differentialcalculating circuit, the differential in the electric charges integratedrespectively by the second and third capacitors of the CDS circuits isdetermined and a signal voltage corresponding to this differential isoutput.

[0014] Furthermore, the photo-detecting apparatus according to thepresent invention is a photo-detecting apparatus further comprising atiming control circuit for controlling the respective operations of theintegrating circuit, the CDS circuit and the differential calculatingcircuit, and the photo-detecting apparatus is used in conjunction withlight projecting means for projecting spot light onto an object; whereinthe timing control circuit causes: (1) a first electric charge to beintegrated in the second capacitor of the CDS circuit on the basis ofthe amount of change of the signal voltage output by the integratingcircuit, when the photodiode detects (receives) a spot light componentand a background light component, in a first period wherein the spotlight is projected onto the object by the light-emitting means; (2) asecond electric charge to be integrated in the third capacitor of theCDS circuit on the basis of the amount of change in the signal voltageoutput by the integrating circuit when the photodiode detects (receives)the background light component, in a second period wherein the spotlight is not projected onto the object by the light-emitting means; and(3) the differential between the electric charges integratedrespectively by the second and the third capacitors of the CDS circuitto be calculated by the differential calculating circuit, in a thirdperiod after the first and the second periods, the signal voltagecorresponding to this differential being output by the differentialcalculating circuit.

[0015] In this case, under the control of the timing control circuit, inthe first period, a first electric charge corresponding to the change inthe signal voltage output by the integrating circuit when the spot lightcomponent and background light component are detected by the photodiodeis integrated in the second capacitor of the CDS circuit. Moreover, inthe second period, a second electric charge corresponding to the changein the signal voltage output by the integrating circuit when thephotodiode detects the background light component is integrated by thethird capacitor of the CDS circuit. And during the third period, thedifferential between the electric charges integrated respectively in thesecond and third capacitors of the CDS circuit is determined by thedifferential calculating circuit, and a signal voltage corresponding tothis differential is output by the differential calculating circuit. Thesignal voltage output by the differential calculating circuitcorresponds to the spot light component. Either the first or the secondperiods may come prior to the other.

[0016] Moreover, the photo-detecting apparatus according to the presentinvention is characterized in that: (1) N sets (where N≧2) of thephotodiode, the integrating circuit, the CDS circuit and thedifferential calculating circuit are provided; and (2) it furthercomprises: N hold circuits provided respectively with respect to the Ndifferential calculating circuits, for holding and outputting the signalvoltages output by the respective differential calculating circuits; and(3) an A/D converting circuit for successively inputting the signalvoltages output respectively by the N hold circuits, converting thesignal voltages to digital signals, and outputting the digital signals.In this case, N sets of a photodiode, integrating circuit, CDS circuit,differential calculating circuit and hold circuit are provided. A signalvoltage output by the differential calculating circuit in each set isheld by the hold circuit. Thereupon, the signal voltage outputrespectively by the N hold circuits are input successively to the A/Dconverting circuit, which converts these signal voltages to digitalsignals and then outputs the digital signals. In other words, aone-dimensional or two-dimensional image is captured, and this imaginingresult is output as a digital signal.

[0017] Moreover, the photo-detecting apparatus relating to the presentinvention is characterized in that it further comprises: a maximum valuedetecting circuit for detecting the maximum value of the signal voltagesoutput respectively by the N differential calculating circuits or the Nhold circuits; wherein the A/D converting circuit sets an A/D conversionrange on the basis of the maximum value detected by the maximum valuedetecting circuit. In this case, the maximum value of the signalvoltages output respectively by the N differential calculating circuitsor hold circuits is detected by the maximum value detecting circuit.Thereupon, an A/D conversion range is set in the A/D converting circuit,on the basis of the maximum value detected by the maximum valuedetecting circuit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0018]FIG. 1 is a general compositional view of a photo-detectingapparatus relating to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an integrating circuit of aphoto-detecting apparatus relating to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a CDS circuit of a photo-detectingapparatus relating to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a differential calculating circuitof a photo-detecting apparatus relating to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a hold circuit of a photo-detectingapparatus relating to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a maximum value detecting circuitof a photo-detecting apparatus relating to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of an A/D converting circuit of aphoto-detecting apparatus relating to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0025]FIG. 8 is a detailed circuit diagram of a variable capacitanceintegrating circuit in an A/D converting circuit;

[0026]FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C, FIG. 9D, FIG. 9E, FIG. 9F, FIG. 9G,FIG. 9H, FIG. 9I, and FIG. 9J are timing charts for describing theoperation of the photo-detecting apparatus relating to the presentinvention;

[0027]FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B, FIG. 10C and FIG. 10D are circuit diagrams fordescribing the operation of an A/D converting circuit; and

[0028]FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of a differential calculating circuitof a photo detecting apparatus relating to a further embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention are described below withreference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, similarconstituent elements are similarly labelled and repeated descriptionthereof is omitted. Moreover, N is an integer of 2 or above, and thesuffix n, unless specified otherwise, is any integer from 1 to N.

[0030] Firstly, an embodiment of a photo-detecting apparatus relating tothe present invention is described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 8.FIG. 1 is a general compositional diagram of a photo-detecting apparatusrelating to the present invention. The photo-detecting detectingapparatus relating to the present invention has N units 100 ₁-100 _(N),a maximum value detecting circuit 200, timing control circuit 300, andA/D converting circuit 400, as well as a shift register 500, and lightemitting device LE for irradiating light onto an object OBJ. The lightemission timing of the light emitting device LE is controlled by thetiming control circuit 300.

[0031] Each unit 100 _(n) comprises a photodiode PD, integrating circuit10, CDS circuit 20, differential calculating circuit 30, hold circuit40, and switch SW₅. The integrating circuits 10 of each unit 100 _(n)are of mutually similar composition, the CDS circuits 20 of each unit100 _(n) are of mutually similar composition, and the differentialcalculating circuits 30 of each unit 100 _(n) are of mutually similarcomposition. Therefore, the N number of units 100 ₁-100 _(N) each have amutually similar composition.

[0032] The photodiode PD of each unit 100 _(n) has an anode terminalconnected to earth and a cathode terminal connected to the inputterminal of an integrating circuit 10. The photodiode PD outputs anelectric signal current corresponding to the intensity of the incidentlight thereby, from the anode terminal to the input terminal of theintegrating circuit 10. The photodiodes PD of the respective units 100_(n) are arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional configuration,and detect a one-dimensional image or two-dimensional image.

[0033]FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of an integrating circuit 10 of aphoto-detecting apparatus relating to the present invention. In thefollowing description, unless specifically stated to the contrary, thesignal is input to an inverse input terminal or an amplifier(operational amplifier), and the electric potential of the non-inverseinput terminal is fixed. The integrating circuit 10 of each unit 100_(n) comprises an amplifier A₁, capacitor C₁, and switch SW₁, connectedmutually in parallel with the input terminal and output terminal. Theintegrating circuit 10 is initiated when the switch SW₁ is closed andthe capacitor C₁ is discharged. On the other hand, if the switch SW₁ isopen in the integrating circuit 10, then the charge input from thephotodiode PD to the input terminal integrates in the capacitor C₁ and asignal voltage corresponding to the integrated electrical charge isoutput from the output terminal. The switch SW₁ opens and closes on thebasis of the Reset signal output from the timing control circuit 300.

[0034]FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a CDS circuit 20 relating to thepresent invention. The CDS circuit 20 of each unit 100 _(n) comprises afirst capacitor C₂₁ and amplifier A₂ in series between the inputterminal and output terminal. Furthermore, a switch SW₂₁, and a secondcapacitor C₂₂ and switch SW₂₂ mutually corrected in series, and a thirdcapacitor C₂₃ and switch SW₂₃ mutually connected in series, areconnected mutually in parallel between the input and output of the ampA₂. The capacitors C₂₂ and C₂₃ have respectively the same capacitance.

[0035] The CDS circuit 20 is initialized when the switches SW₂₁-SW₂₃ areclosed and the capacitors C₂₂ and C₂₃ are respectively discharged. Ifthe switches SW₂₁ and SW₂₃ are open and the switch SW₂₂ is closed, thena first charge input from the input terminal via the capacitor C₂₁integrates in the capacitor C₂₂, and a signal voltage corresponding tothis integrated electric charge is output from the output terminal. Ifthe switches SW₂₁ and SW₂₂ are open and the switch SW₂₃ is closed, thena second charge input from the input terminal via the capacitor C₂₁ willintegrate in the capacitor C₂₃, and a signal voltage corresponding tothe integrated charge will be output from the output terminal. Theswitch SW₂₁ opens and closes on the basis of a Clamp1 signal output bythe timing control circuit 300. The switch SW₂₂ opens and closes on thebasis of a CSW₂₂ signal output by the timing control circuit 300.Moreover, the switch SW₂₃ opens and closes on the basis of a CSW₂₃signal output by the timing control circuit 300.

[0036]FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a differential calculating circuit30 of a photo-detecting apparatus relating to the present invention. Thedifferential calculating circuit 30 in each unit 100 n comprises aswitch SW₃₁, capacitor C₃ and amp A₃, the contact point between thecapacitor C₃ and the amp A₃ being earthed via a switch SW₃₂. In thisdifferential calculating circuit 30, when the switch SW₃₂ is closed, thecapacitor C₃ is charged to electric charge Q1 by closing the switch SW₃₁for a fixed period of time, and when the switch SW₃₂ is open, electriccharge Q2 is released from the capacitor C₃ by closing the switch SW₃₁for a fixed period of time, whereby, the differential between electriccharge Q1 and electric charge Q2, in other words, charge (Q1−Q2) isintegrated in the capacitor C₃, and a signal voltage corresponding tothis integrated charge (Q1−Q2) is output from the amp A₃. The switchSW31 opens and closes on the basis of a Sample signal output by thetiming control circuit 300. Moreover, the switch SW₃₂ is opened andclosed by a Clamp2 signal output by the timing control circuit 300.

[0037]FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a hold circuit 40 of aphoto-detecting apparatus relating to the present invention. The holdcircuit 40 of each unit 100 _(n) comprises a switch SW₄ and amp A₄ inseries between an input terminal and output terminal, the contact pointof the switch SW₄ and amp A₄ being connected to earth via a capacitorC₄. The hold circuit 40 stores the signal voltage output by thedifferential calculating circuit 30 in the capacitor C₄, when the switchSW₄ is closed, and even after the switch SW₄ has been opened, it holdsthe signal voltage in capacitor C₄, and this signal voltage is outputvia the amp A₄. The switch SW₄ opens and closes on the basis of a Holdsignal output from the timing control circuit 300. The switches SW₅ ofeach unit 100 _(n) is controlled by a shift register 500 and opensuccessively, the signal voltage output by the hold circuit 40 beinginput successively to the A/D converting circuit 400.

[0038]FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a maximum value detecting circuit200 relating to the present embodiment. This maximum value detectingcircuit 200, comprises NMOS transistors T₁-T_(N), resistors R₂₀₁-R₂₀₃,and differential amp A₂₀₁. The source terminal of each transistor T_(n)is earthed, and the drain terminal of each transistor T_(n) is connectedto a supply voltage Vdd, whilst also being connected to the inverseinput terminal of differential amplifier A₂₀₁, via resistor R₂₀₁. Thegate terminal of each transistor T_(n) is connected to the outputterminal of the hold circuit 40 of the unit 100 _(n), and a signalvoltage V_(n3) output form the hold circuit 40 is input thereto.Moreover, a feedback resistor R₂₀₃ is provided between the inverse inputterminal and output terminal of the differential amp A₂₀₁, whilst thenon-inverse input terminal of the differential amp A₂₀₁ is earthed. Inthis maximum value detecting circuit 200, the signal voltage V_(n3)output from the hold circuit 40 of each unit 100 _(n) is input to thegate terminal of the transistor Tn, and an electric potentialcorresponding to the maximum value of each signal voltage V_(n3) appearsat the drain terminal of the transistor T_(n). This electric potentialat the drain terminal is amplified by differential amplifier A₂₀₁, by anamplification rate corresponding to the ratio of the respectiveresistance values of resistors R₂₀₁ and R₂₀₂, and this amplified voltagevalue is output to the A/D converting circuit 400, from the outputterminal.

[0039]FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of an A/D converting circuit 400 of aphoto-detecting apparatus relating to the present invention. This A/Dconverting circuit 400 inputs a maximum voltage value V_(max) output bythe maximum value detecting circuit 200, and performs A/D conversion ofthis maximum voltage value. The A/D converting circuit 400 alsosuccessively inputs a signal voltage V_(n3) output from the hold circuit40 of each unit 100 _(n), via switch SW₅, and converts this signalvoltage (analogue signal) to a digital signal. The A/D convertingcircuit 400 comprises a variable-capacity integrating circuit 410,comparing circuit A₄₀₂, capacitance control section 420 and read-outsection 430.

[0040] The variable capacitance integrating circuit 410 comprises acapacitor C₄₀₁, amp A₄₀₁, variable capacitor section C₄₀₀, and a switchSW₄₀₁. The amp A₄₀₁ inputs the signal voltages V_(n3) output by the holdcircuit 40 of the respective units 100 _(n) and successively receivedvia the switch SW₅, to the inverse input terminal, by means of thecapacitor C₄₀₁. The noninverse input terminal of the amp A₄₀₁ isconnected to earth. The variable capacitor section C₄₀₀ is controllableand has variable capacitance, and it is provided between the inverseinput terminal and output terminal of the amp A₄₀₁ and integrateselectrical charge according to the input signal voltage. Switch SW₄₀₁ isprovided between the inverse input terminal and output terminal of theamp A₄₀₁, and when it is open, electrical charge integrates in thevariable capacitor section C₄₀₀, whereas when it is closed, theelectrical charge integrated in the variable capacitor section C₄₀₀ isreset. The variable capacitance integrating section 410 inputs thesignal voltages V_(n3) output successively by the respective units 100_(n), integrates them according to the capacitance of the variablecapacitor section C₄₀₀, and outputs an integration signal resulting fromthis integration process.

[0041] Comparing circuit A₄₀₂ inputs the integration signal output fromvariable capacitance integrating section 410 to an inverse inputterminal, and inputs the maximum voltage value V_(max) output by themaximum value detecting circuit 200, to a non-inverse input terminal,comparing the magnitude of these two input signals and outputting acomparing result signal accordingly.

[0042] The capacitance control section 420 inputs the comparison resultsignal output by comparing circuit A₄₀₂ and outputs a capacitanceinstruction signal C for controlling the capacitance of the variablecapacitor section C₄₀₀, on the basis of the received comparison resultsignal, whilst also outputting a first digital signal corresponding tothe capacitance value or the variable capacitor section C₄₀₀, if it isjudged on the basis of the comparison result signal that the value ofthe integration signal and the maximum voltage value V_(max) arematching, within a prescribed resolution.

[0043] The read-out section 430 inputs the first digital signal outputby the capacitance control section 420 and outputs a second digitalsignal corresponding to this first digital signal. The second digitalsignal represents a value obtained by subtracting an offset value forthe variable capacitance integrating circuit 410 from the first digitalsignal. The read-out section 430 is, for example, a memory element,which inputs the first digital signal as an address, and outputs datascored at that address of the memory element, as the second digitalsignal. This second digital signal forms the optical detection signaloutput by the photo-detecting apparatus relating to the presentinvention.

[0044]FIG. 8 is a detailed circuit diagram of the variable capacitanceintegrating circuit 410 in the A/D converting circuit 400. In thisdiagram, a circuit composition comprising an A/D converting functionhaving ½⁴={fraction (1/16)} resolution is illustrated, and this circuitcomposition is described below.

[0045] As shown in this diagram, the variable capacitor section C₄₀₀comprises capacitors C₄₁₁-C₄₁₄, switches SW₄₁₁-SW₄₁₄, and switchesSW₄₂₁-SW₄₂₄. The capacitor C₄₁₁ and switch SW₄₁₁ are mutually connectedin series, and are provided between the inverse input terminal andoutput terminal of the amp A₄₀₁. The switch SW₄₂₁ is provided betweenthe contact point of the capacitor C₄₁₁ and switch SW₄₁₁, and an earthpotential. The capacitor C₄₁₂ and switch SW₄₁₂ are mutually connected inseries and are provided between the inverse input terminal and outputterminal of amp A₄₀₁. The switch SW₄₂₂ is provided between the contactpoint of the capacitor C₄₁₂ and switch SW₄₁₂, and an earth potential.The capacitor C₄₁₃ and switch SW₄₁₃ are mutually connected in series andare provided between the inverse input terminal and output terminal ofamp A₄₀₁. The switch SW₄₂₁ is provided between the contact point of thecapacitor C₄₁₃ and switch SW₄₁₃, and an earth potential. Moreover, Thecapacitor C₄₁₄ and switch SW₄₁₄ are mutually connected in series and areprovided between the inverse input terminal and output terminal of ampA₄₀₁. The switch SW₄₂₄ is provided between the contact point of thecapacitor C₄₁₄ and switch SW₄₁₄, and an earth potential.

[0046] The respective switches SW₄₁₁-SW₄₁₄ are opened and closed on thebasis of C11-C14 of the capacitance instruction signals C output by thecapacitance control section 420. The respective switches SW₄₂₁-SW₄₂₄ areopened and closed on the basis of C21-C24 of the capacitance instructionsignals C output by the capacitance control section 420. Moreover,taking the capacitance values of the capacitors C₄₁₁-C₄₁₄ as C₄₁₁-C₄₁₄,these values satisfy the relationships

C ₄₁₁=2C ₄₁₂=4C ₄₁₃=8C ₄₁₄   (1)

C ₄₁₁ +C ₄₁₂ +C ₄₁₃ +C ₄₁₄ =C ₀   (2)

[0047] Next, the operation of the photo-detecting apparatus relating tothe present invention will be described. FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C, FIG.9D, FIG. 9E, FIG. 9F, FIG. 9G, FIG. 9H, FIG. 9I, FIG. 9J are timingchart for describing the operation of a photo-detecting apparatusrelating to the present invention. FIG. 9A illustrates a timing chart ofa reset signal, FIG. 9B, of an integrating circuit output, FIG. 9C, of aClamp1 signal, FIG. 9D, of a CSW22 signal, FIG. 9E, of a CSW23 signal,FIG. 9F, of a CDS circuit output, FIG. 9G, of a Clamp2 signal, FIG. 9H,of a Sample signal, FIG. 9I, of a Hold signal, and FIG. 9J, of a holdcircuit output, respectively.

[0048] Below, a case is described where the photo-detecting apparatusrelating to the present invention constitutes a light-emitting device(light-emitting means) LE, such as a light-emitting diode, or the like,and additionally, an active range sensoring device. In other words, theoperation described below involves subtracting the background lightcomponent, and outputting an optical detection signal only for the spotlight component (signal light component) projected onto the object OBJby the light emitting device LE, such as a light-emitting diode, or thelike.

[0049] At timing t₁, by means of the Reset signal assuming logic H, theswitch SW₁ of the integrating circuit 10 closes, the capacitor C₁ isdischarged and the circuit is thus initialized. Furthermore, by theClamp1 signal assuming logic H, the switch SW₂₁ of the CDS circuit 20closes and the CDS operation in the CDS circuit 20 is halted.

[0050] At timing t₂, the reset signal assumes logic L, and therefore theswitch SW₁ of the integrating circuit 10 opens. From timing t₂ onwards,electric charge output from the photodiode PD integrates progressivelyin the capacitor C₁, and the signal voltage output from the outputterminal of the integrating circuit 10 becomes progressively larger. Attiming L₂, the Clamp1 signal remains at logic H, and the switch SW₂₁ ofthe CDS circuit 20 remains closed. Moreover, at timing t₂, the CSW₂₂signal and CSW₂₃ signal are respectively at logic L, and hence theswitches SW₂₂ and SW₂₃ of the CDS circuit 20 are both open.

[0051] At timing t₃, by means of the Clamp1 signal assuming logic L, theswitch SW₂₁ of the CDS circuit 20 opens, and by CSW22 signal assuminglogic H, the switch SW₂₂ of the CDS circuit 20 closes. Thereupon, fromtiming t₃ until t₄ after a prescribed period of time T has elapsed,Clamp1 signal assumes logic H, and hence the switch SW₂₁ of the CDScircuit 20 closes, whilst the CSW22 signal assumes logic L and hence theswitch SW₂₂ of the CDS circuit 20 opens.

[0052] In the period between timings t₂ and t₄, spot light is projectedfrom the light-emitting diode LE onto the object OBJ. Consequently, boththe spot light projected by the light-emitting diode LE and reflectedback by the object OBJ are incident at the photodiode PD, and anelectric signal current generated thereby is output by the photodiodePD. In the integrating circuit 10 inputting this electric signalcurrent, electric charge is integrated in capacitor C₁, and a signalvoltage corresponding to the amount of electric charge thus integratedis output by the integrating circuit 10. Moreover, in the period betweentimings t₃ and t₄ (first period), a signal voltage output from theoutput terminal of the integrating circuit 10 is input to the CDScircuit 20, electric charge corresponding to the charge in the inputsignal voltage after timing t₃ is integrated, and a signal voltagecorresponding to the quantity of electric charge thus integrated isoutput from the CDS circuit 20. Therefore, the signal voltage output bythe CDS circuit 20 at timing t₄ is a voltage value Vn1 corresponding tothe difference between the signal voltages output by the integratingcircuit 10 at timing t₃ and timing t₄, respectively, and it is a signalvoltage from which the noise component generated by the integratingcircuit 10 has been removed.

[0053] At timing t₄, by means of the Reset signal assuming logic H, theswitch SW₁ of the integrating circuit 10 closes, the capacitor C₁ isdischarged, and the circuit is thus initialized. Furthermore, since theClamp1 signal also assumes logic H, the switch SW₂₁ of the CDS circuit20 closes and the CDS operation in the CDS circuit 20 is halted.

[0054] At timing t_(s), the Reset signal assumes logic L and hence theswitch SW₁ of the integrating circuit 10 opens. From timing t_(s)onwards, the electric charge output from the photodiode PD isprogressively integrated in the capacitor C₁, and the signal voltageoutput from the output terminal of the integrating circuit 10progressively becomes larger. At timing t_(s), the Clamp1 signal remainsat logic H, and the switch SW₂₁ of the CDS circuit 20 remains closed.Moreover, at timing t_(s), the CSW22 signal and CSW23 signal arerespectively at logic L, and hence both switch SW₂₂ and switch SW₂₃ ofthe CDS circuit 20 are open.

[0055] At timing t₆, by means of the Clamp1 signal assuming logic L, theswitch SW₂₁, of the CDS circuit 20 opens, and by means of the CSW23signal assuming logic H, the switch, SW₂₃ of the CDS circuit 20 closes.

[0056] In the period between timings t_(b) and t₇, no spot light isprojected onto the object OBJ from the light-emitting diode LE.Therefore, only the background light component is incident on thephotodiode PD, the electric signal current generated thereby beingoutput from the photodiode PD. In the integrating circuit 10 inputtingthis electric signal current, the electric charge is integrated in thecapacitor C₁, and a signal voltage corresponding to the quantity ofelectric charge thus integrated is output by the integrating circuit 10.Moreover, in the period between timing t₆ and t₇ (second period), thesignal voltage output from the output terminal of the integratingcircuit 10 is input to the CDS circuit 20, and an electric chargecorresponding to the change in the input signal voltage after timing t₆is integrated in the capacitor C₂₃, and a signal voltage correspondingto this integrated amount of electric charge is output by the CDScircuit 20. Consequently, the signal voltage output by the CDS circuit20 at timing t₇ is a voltage value V_(n2) corresponding to thedifference between the signal voltages output by the integrating circuit10 at timing t₆ and timing t₇, respectively, and this signal voltage hasthe noise component generated by the integrating circuit 10 removedtherefrom.

[0057] From timing t₂ onwards, the electric charge integrated in thecapacitor C₂₂ of the CDS circuit 20 corresponds to the sum of the spotlight component and the background light component, and the electriccharge integrated in the capacitor C₂₃ of the CDS circuit 20 correspondsto the background light component only. Moreover, since the periodbetween timings t₃ and t₄ (first period) and the period between timingst₆ and t₇ (second period) are mutually equal time periods T, and sincethe respective capacitors C₂₂ and C₂₂ have mutually the samecapacitance, the voltage value V_(n1) corresponds to the sum of the spotlight component and the background light component, whilst the voltagevalue V_(n2) corresponds to the background light component only, andconsequently, the voltage differential between the twoΔV_(n)=(V_(n1)−V_(n2)) corresponds to the spot light component only.Therefore, from timing t₈ onwards, this voltage differential ΔV_(n) isdetermined in the following manner by the differential calculatingcircuit 30.

[0058] From timing t₇ onwards (third period), the Reset signal assumeslogic H, and the switch SW₁ of the integrating circuit 10 closes,whereby the capacitor C₁ is discharged and the circuit maintains aninitialized state. Moreover, the Clamp1 signal is at logic L and theswitch SW₂₁ of the CDS circuit 20 remains open.

[0059] In the period between timing t₆ and timing t₉, the CSW22 signalhas logic H, and the switch SW₂₂ of the CDS circuit 20 is closed. TheSample signal assumes logic H, and the switch SW₃₁ of the differentialcalculating circuit 30 is closed. Here, the Clamp2 signal is at logic H,and the switch SW₃₂ of the differential calculating circuit 30 isclosed. The signal voltage output from the output terminal of the CDScircuit 20 during this period is a voltage value V_(n1) corresponding tothe quantity of electric charge integrated in the capacitor C₂₂, andthis voltage value V_(n1) is held in the capacitor C₃ of thedifferential calculating circuit 30.

[0060] In the period from timing the t₁₀ timing t11, signal CSW23 haslogic H and the switch SW₂₃ of the CDS circuit 20 is closed. The Samplesignal has logic H, and the switch SW₃₁ of the differential calculatingcircuit 30 is closed. Here, the Clamp2 signal is at logic L, and theswitch SW₃₂ of the differential calculating circuit 30 is open. In thisperiod, the signal voltage output from the output terminal of the CDScircuit 20 is a voltage value V_(n2) corresponding to the quantity ofelectric charge integrated in the capacitor C₂₃. In this case, since theswitch SW₃₂ of the differential calculating circuit 30 is open, thedifference ΔV_(n) between the voltage value V_(n2) and the voltage valueV_(n1) is held in the capacitor C₃ of the differential calculatingcircuit 30. This voltage value ΔV_(n) corresponds to the spot lightcomponent only.

[0061] Moreover, the Hold signal assumes logic H, thereby closing theswitch SW₄ of the hold circuit 40, and hence the voltage value ΔV_(n)held in the capacitor C₃ of the differential calculating circuit 30passes via the amp A₃ of the differential calculating circuit 30 and theswitch SW₄ of the hold circuit 40, and is held in capacitor C₄ of thehold circuit 40. At timing t₁₁, the Hold signal assumes logic L, andafter the switch SW₄ has opened, the voltage value ΔV_(n) held in thecapacitor C₄ of the hold circuit 40 is output from the amp A₄ as signalvoltage Vn₃.

[0062] The signal voltages V_(n3) output from the hold circuits 40 ofeach of the respective units 100 _(n) are input to the maximum valuedetecting circuit 200, which detects the maximum voltage value V_(max).Furthermore, the switch SW₅ of each unit 100 _(n) is successively closedby the shift register 500, and the signal voltage V_(n3) from, the holdcircuit 40 of each unit 100 _(n) is input successively to the A/Dconverting circuit 400.

[0063] As described above, the present device comprises photoelectricconverting elements PD for outputting an electrical signal correspondingto incident light, two capacitors C22, C23 interposed in parallelbetween the inverse input terminal and output terminal of an operationalamplifier A2 and connected selectively between the aforementioned inputand output terminals, and an amplifier circuit A3 for amplifying theoutput of the operating amplifier A2, the output signal from thephotoelectric converting element PD when light is incident being inputto the aforementioned inverse input terminal when one of the capacitorsC22, C23 is connected, and the output signal from the photoelectricconverting element PD when no light is incident being input to the sameterminal when the other of the capacitors C22, C23 is connected.

[0064] The operation of the A/D converting circuit 400 is described nextwith reference to FIG. 10A to FIG. 10D. At timing t₁₁, the switch SW₄₀₁of the variable capacitance integrating circuit 410 closes and thevariable capacitance integrating circuit 410 assumes a reset state.Moreover, the switches SW₄₁₁-SW₄₁₄ of the variable capacitanceintegrating circuit 410 are each closed, and the switches SW₄₂₁-SW₄₂₄are each open, the capacitance value of the variable capacitor sectionC₄₀₀ being set to C₀.

[0065] At a certain timing after timing t₁₁, the switch SW₄₀₁ of the A/Dconverting circuit 400 opens, and the switch SW₅ of the first unit 100 ₁closes. The signal voltage V₁₃ output by the hold circuit 40 of the unit100 ₁ is input to the variable capacitance integrating circuit 410 ofthe A/D converting circuit 400, via the switch SW₅. When the signalvoltage V13 is input to the capacitor C401 of the variable capacitanceintegrating circuit 410, an electric charge O corresponding to the valueof this signal voltage V₁₃, and the capacitance value C₀ of the variablecapacitor section C₄₀₀ flows into the variable capacitor section C₄₀₀(see FIG. 10A). In this case, the value of the integration signal outputby the variable capacitance integrating circuit 410, V_(sa) is expressedby the equation:

V _(sa) −V ₁₃ =Q/C ₀   (3)

[0066] Subsequently, the capacitance control section 420 opens theswitches SW₄₁₂-SW₄₁₄ of the variable capacitor section C₄₀₀ and thencloses the switches SW₄₂₂-SW₄₂₄ (see FIG. 10B). As a result of this, thecapacitance value of the variable capacitor section C₄₀₀ becomes C₄₁₁,and the value V_(sb) of the integration signal output by the variablecapacitor integrating circuit 410 becomes as follows.

V_(sb)−Q/C₄₁₁   (4)

[0067] This integration signal is input to the comparing circuit A₄₀₂,which compares the value thereof in size with the maximum voltage valueV_(max).

[0068] If V_(st)>V_(max), then on receiving this comparison result, thecapacitance control section 420 also opens switch SW₄₂₂ of the variablecapacitor section C400 and then closes switch SW₄₁₂ (see FIG. 10C).Accordingly, the capacitance value of the variable capacitor sectionC₄₀₀ becomes C₄₁₁+C₄₁₂, and the value of the integration signal outputfrom the variable capacitance integrating circuit 410, V_(sc), becomes

V _(sc) =Q/(C ₄₁₁ +C ₁₁₂)   (5)

[0069] This integration signal is input to the comparing circuit A₄₀₂and the value thereof is compared in size to the maximum voltage valueV_(max).

[0070] Furthermore, if V_(ab)<V_(max), then upon receiving thiscomparison result, the capacitance control section 420 also opensswitches SW₄₁₁ and SW₄₂₂ of the variable capacitor section C₄₀₀,whereupon it closes switches SW₄₁₂ and SW₄₂₁ (see FIG. 10D).Consequently, the capacitance value of the variable capacitor sectionC₄₀₀ becomes C₄₁₂, and the value of the integration signal output by thevariable capacitance integrating circuit 410, V_(sd), becomes

V _(sd) =Q/C ₄₁₂   (6)

[0071] This integration signal is input to the comparing circuit A₄₀₂,which compares the value thereof in size with the maximum voltage valueV_(max).

[0072] Thereafter, by performing similar feedback involving the variablecapacitance integrating circuit 410, comparing circuit A₄₀₂ andcapacitance control section 420, the capacitance value of the variablecapacitor section C₄₀₀ is repeatedly set and the value of theintegration signal and the maximum voltage value V_(max) are repeatedlycompared in size, until the capacitance control section 420 determinesthat the value of the integration signal and the reference potentialV_(max) are matching, within a prescribed resolution. Upon terminatingcapacitance control of all of the capacitors C₄₁₁-C₄₁₄ of the variablecapacitor section C₄₀₀, the capacitance control section 420 output adigital signal corresponding to the final capacitance value of thevariable capacitor section C400 to the read-out section 430.

[0073] At the read-out section 430, the digital signal output by thecapacitance control section 420 is input as an address, and digital datastored at a corresponding address in a memory element is output as anoptical detection signal of the photo-detecting apparatus relating tothe present invention. As described above, the signal voltage V₁₃corresponding to the intensity of spot light detected by the photodiodePD of the first unit 100 ₁ is converted to a digital signal by the A/Dconverting circuit 400, and this digital signal is output as an opticaldetection signal. Thereafter, in a similar manner, the signal voltagesV_(n3) corresponding to the intensity of spot light detected by thephotodiodes PD in the second and subsequent units 100 _(n) are convertedto digital signals by the A/D converting circuit 400, and these digitalsignals are successively output as optical detection signals.

[0074] Since the maximum value of the respective signal voltages V_(n3)input to the variable capacitance integrating circuit 410 is V_(max),and the maximum value of the capacitance value of the variable capacitorsection C₄₀₀ is C₀, then according to equation (3) above, the maximumvalue of the electric charge Q flowing into the variable capacitorsection C₄₀₀ will be V_(max)·C₀. If a certain nth signal voltage V_(n3)is equal to the maximum voltage value V_(max), then the switchesSW₄₁₁-SW₄₁₄ of the variable capacitor section C₄₀₀ are all closed andthe capacitance value of the variable capacitor section C₄₀₀ becomes C₀.On the other hand, if another nth signal voltage V_(n3) has a valuelower than the maximum voltage value V_(max), then since the electriccharge Q flowing into the variable capacitor section C₄₀₀ is smallerthan V_(max)·C₀, the integration signal output from the variablecapacitance integrating circuit 410 will become equal to the maximumvoltage value V_(max) by opening any of the switches SW₄₁₁-SW₄₁₄ of thevariable capacitor section C₄₀₀.

[0075] As described above, the maximum voltage value V_(max) output fromthe maximum value detecting circuit 200 and input to the comparingcircuit A₄₀₂ specifies a maximum value for the signal voltage, V_(n3),in other words, an A/D conversion range, wherein A/D conversion can beperformed without the A/D converting circuit 400 becoming saturated.Moreover, since one of the respective signal voltages V_(n3) input tothe A/D converting circuit 400 is always a maximum voltage valueV_(max), it is possible to utilize effectively the full scope of theaforementioned A/D conversion range. In other words, the photo-detectingapparatus relating to the present invention provides excellent A/Dconversion resolution when the intensity of the incident light is small,without becoming saturated when the intensity of the incident light islarge.

[0076] Moreover, if only the image of the spot light is obtained, bysubtracting the detection results for the background light componentfrom the detection results of the spot light component and backgroundlight component, as in a case where the photo-detecting apparatus isused as a range sensor, then even if the background light component islarge compared to the spot light component, in the light detected by thephotodiodes PD, the digital signal output by the A/D converting circuit400 on the basis of the spot light component obtained by theaforementioned subtraction operation will still have excellentresolution.

[0077] Moreover, in the aforementioned embodiment, when both the spotlight component and background light component are detected by thephotodiodes PD, the differential V_(n1) in the signal voltage output bythe integrating circuit 10 over a fixed time period T is held in thecapacitor C₂₂ of the CDS circuit 20. Furthermore, when only thebackground light component is detected by the photodiodes PD, thedifferential V_(n2) in the signal voltage output by the integratingcircuit 10 over a fixed time period T is held in the capacitor C₂₃ ofthe CDS circuit 20. Subsequently, the signal voltage V_(n2)corresponding to the difference between the voltage value Vn1 and thevoltage value V_(n2) is determined by the differential calculatingcircuit 30 and output to the hold circuit 40. Therefore, the voltagevalue V_(n1) and voltage value V_(n2) output from the CDS circuit 20,and the signal voltage V_(n3) output by the hold circuit 40, are allvalues from which the noise component generates by the integratingcircuit 10 has been removed.

[0078] Next, a further embodiment of a differential calculating circuitof a photo-detecting apparatus relating to the present invention will bedescribed. FIG. 11 in a circuit diagram of a differential calculatingcircuit 30A of a photo-detecting apparatus relating to a furtherembodiment. This differential calculating circuit 30A is used in placeof the differential calculating circuit 30 in FIG. 1. The differentialcalculating circuit 30A of each unit 100 _(n) comprises a switch SW₃₁,capacitor C₃₁ and amp A₃ in series between the input terminal and outputterminal thereof, and furthermore, a switch SW₃₂ and capacitor C₃₂connected mutually in parallel between the input and output of the ampA3. This differential calculating circuit 30A, illustrated in FIG. 11,functions in an approximately similar manner to that shown in FIG. 3.More specifically, by closing the switch SW₃₁ for a prescribed period oftime whilst the switch SW₃₂ is closed, this differential calculatingcircuit 30A charges the capacitor C₃₂ with an electric charge Q1 flowingfrom the CDS circuit 20 via the capacitor C₃₁. Thereupon, by closing theswitch SW₃₁ for a prescribed period of time whilst the switch SW₃₂ isopen, an electric charge Q2 of the charge having flown in from the CDScircuit 20 via the capacitor C₃₁ is discharged from the capacitor C₃₂.In this way, the difference between the electric charge Q1 and theelectric charge Q2, in other words, electric charge (Q1−Q2), isintegrated in the capacitor C₃₂, and a signal voltage corresponding tothis integrated electric charge (Q1−Q2) is output from the amp A3. Theswitch SW₃₁ is opened and closed on the bases of a Sample signal outputfrom the timing control circuit 300. The switch SW₃₂ is opened andclosed on the basis of a Clamp2 signal output by the timing controlcircuit 300.

[0079] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments describedabove and may be modified variously. For example, the signal voltagesV_(n3) from the hold circuits 40 of the respective units 100 _(n) may beoutput successively as output signals of the photo-detecting apparatus,without providing the A/D converting circuit 400.

[0080] Moreover, although the foregoing embodiments described aphoto-detecting apparatus having two or more photodiodes, in otherwords, an imaging device, it is also possible to apply the presentinvention to a photo-detecting apparatus having one photodiode. In thiscase, it is sufficient to supply just one set of photodiode PD,integrating circuit 10, CDS circuit 20 and differential calculatingcircuit 30 (or 30A), and an excellent S/N ratio is obtained in a similarmanner.

[0081] Moreover, in the foregoing embodiments, the maximum value of thesignal voltages V_(n3) output by the hold circuits 40 of the respectiveunits 100 n was detected by the maximum value detecting circuit 200, butit is also possible to detect the maximum value of the signal voltagesoutput by the differential calculating circuits 30 (or 30A) of therespective units 100 _(n), by the maximum value detecting circuit 200.

[0082] As described in detail above, according to the present invention,an electric signal current corresponding to the intensity of theincident light is output by a photodiode(s), an electric charge isintegrated in an integrating circuit in accordance with the electricsignal current output by the photodiode, and a signal voltagecorresponding to the amount of electric charge thus integrated isoutput. In the CDS circuit, the signal voltage output by the integratingcircuit is input to a first capacitor, and electric charge correspondingto the amount of change in this input signal voltage is integrated ineither one of a second or third capacitors selected by switches.Thereupon, in a differential calculating circuit, the difference betweenthe electric charges integrated respectively in the second and thirdcapacitors of the CDS circuit is determined, and a signal voltagecorresponding to this difference is output.

[0083] Consequently, even if the integrating circuit has noisefluctuation which changes with each integration operation, the noiseerror is eliminated by the CDS circuit. Moreover, since an electriccharge corresponding to the spot light component (signal lightcomponent) and the background light component is integrated in eitherone of the second or third capacitors of the CDS circuit during thefirst period, whilst the electric charge corresponding to the backgroundlight component is integrated in the other capacitor during a secondperiod, and the differential between the two electric charges isdetermined by a differential calculating circuit during a third period,then the signal voltage output by the differential calculating circuitcorresponds to the spot light component (signal light component) only.In this way, even if the intensity of the incident light detected by thephotodiode, in other words, the aforementioned signal voltage value, issmall, then the S/N ratio of the light detection is excellent.

[0084] Moreover, if the sequence of integration of electric charge inthe integrating circuits has to be changed, in accordance with the lightemission timing of the projection devices LE, such as light-emittingdiodes, or the like, in other words, if the aforementioned first timeperiod and second time period have to be changed, then in the prior art,since the circuitry following the integrating circuit is fixed and isonly permitted to operate with a single polarity, this kind of changecannot be made. However according to the present invention, since thesecond and third capacitors of the CDS circuit can battery controlled ina mutually independent fashion, the information integrated therein canalso be extracted in a mutually independent fashion. In other words,according to the present invention, the first time period and secondtime period can be changed readily.

[0085] Moreover, N sets of photodiodes, integrating circuits, CDScircuits, differential calculating circuits, and hold circuits areprovided, the signal voltages output by the differential calculatingcircuit in each set being held by a hold circuit, the signal voltagesoutput respectively from the N hold circuits being input successively toan A/D converting circuit, which converts these signal voltages todigital signals that are then output. In this case, a one-dimensionalimage or two-dimensional image is formed, and the formed image is outputas a digital signal

[0086] Furthermore, the maximum value of the signal voltages outputrespectively by the N differential calculating circuits or hold circuitsis detected by a maximum value detecting circuit, and an A/D conversionrange is set in the A/D converting circuit on the basis of the maximumvalue thus detected by the maximum value detecting circuit, wherebyexcellent resolution is obtained even when the intensity of the light issmall, without the signal becoming saturated when the intensity of theincident light is large.

What is claimed is:
 1. A photo-detecting apparatus characterized bycomprising: a photodiode for outputting an electric signal currentcorresponding to the intensity of the incident light; an integratingcircuit for integrating electric charge according to the electric signalcurrent output by said photodiode and outputting a signal voltagecorresponding to the electric charge thus integrated; a CDS circuithaving: a first capacitor and amplifier provided in sequence between aninput terminal inputting the signal voltage output by said integratingcircuit and an output terminal, a second capacitor and third capacitorhaving mutually equal capacitance values, provided in parallel betweenthe input and output of said amplifier, and switches for selectingeither one of said second or third capacitors so as to integrateelectric charge corresponding to the amount of change in said signalvoltage; and a differential calculating circuit for determining thedifferential between the electric charges integrated respectively insaid second and said third capacitors of said CDS circuit, andoutputting a signal voltage corresponding to this differential.
 2. Thephoto-detecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising atiming control circuit for controlling the respective operations of saidintegrating circuit, said CDS circuit and said differential calculatingcircuit, said photo-detecting apparatus being used in conjunction withlight projecting means for projecting spot light onto an object,characterized in that said timing control circuit causes: a firstelectric charge to be integrated in the second capacitor of said CDScircuit on the basis of the amount of change of the signal voltageoutput by said integrating circuit, when said photodiode detects a spotlight component and a background light component, in a first periodwherein said spot light is projected onto said object by saidlight-emitting means; a second electric charge to be integrated in thethird capacitor of said CDS circuit on the basis of the amount of changein the signal voltage output by said integrating circuit when saidphotodiode detects said background light component, in a second periodwherein said spot light is not projected onto said object by saidlight-emitting means; and the differential between the electric chargesintegrated respectively by said second and said third capacitors of saidCDS circuit to be calculated by said differential calculating circuit,in a third period after said first and said second periods, so that thesignal voltage corresponding to this differential is output by saiddifferential calculating circuit.
 3. The photo-detecting apparatusaccording to claim 1, characterized in that said photo-detectingapparatus comprises N sets (where N≧2) of said photodiode, saidintegrating circuit, said CDS circuit and said differential calculatingcircuit are provided, and further comprises: N hold circuits providedrespectively with respect to said N differential calculating circuits,for holding and outputting the signal voltages output by the respectivedifferential calculating circuits; and an A/D converting circuit forsuccessively inputting the signal voltages output respectively by said Nhold circuits, converting said signal voltages to digital signals, andoutputting said digital signals.
 4. The photo-detecting apparatusaccording to claim 3, characterized by further comprising a maximumvalue detecting circuit for detecting the maximum value of the signalvoltages output respectively by said N differential calculating circuitsor said N hold circuits; wherein said A/D converting circuit sets an A/Dconversion range on the basis of the maximum value detected by saidmaximum value detecting circuit.
 5. A photo-detecting apparatuscharacterized by comprising: a photoelectrical converting element foroutputting an electrical signal in accordance with incidence of light;two capacitors interposed in parallel between the inverse input terminaland output terminal of an operational amplifier, which connect betweensaid input and output terminals selectively; and an amplifying circuitfor amplifying the output of said operational amplifier; wherein anoutput signal from said photoelectric converting element when light isincident is input to said inverse input terminal when one of saidcapacitors is connected, and an output signal from said photoelectricconverting element when no light is incident is input to said inverseinput terminal when the other of said capacitors is connected.